Syracuse, NY -- Paige’s Butterfly Run, organizer of a popular annual race during Taste of Syracuse, raised $247,500 this year to support Upstate Medical University’s efforts to combat childhood cancer.
The donations, which included proceeds from the June race, will go to pediatric cancer research, as well as financial support to families to cover everyday expenses, like food, gas and medical supplies.
This year’s donation included $11,200 in books bought by customers at Barnes & Noble and donated to Upstate for distribution.
Since 1997, Paige’s Butterfly Run has raised nearly $5 million for Upstate Golisano and the Waters Center for Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders at Upstate.
The organization honors Baldwinsville elementary school student Paige Arnold, who was diagnosed with leukemia in 1993 at age 6 and died a year later in a Boston hospital. Her father, Chris Arnold, chair’s the non-profit’s board.
“The Central New York community really stepped up to support our mission with tremendous fundraising from individuals, corporate sponsorship and personal giving,” Chris Arnold said in a news release.
Staff writer Douglass Dowty can be reached at ddowty@syracuse.com or (315) 470-6070.